The 2019-2020 NFL regular season was one to remember. Filled with broken records, big plays from big names, single season accolades, teams proving themselves, new players kick starting their careers and drama heard all around the league. 

This year, the Baltimore Ravensbecame one of the most dominant teams the league has ever seen. They had an offense that could burn you at every position, led by their quarterback who, over the course of the season, became a household name. Louisville star, Heisman trophy winner and second year quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, Lamar Jackson, was met with scrutiny for being a quarterback since most saw him best fit as a running back or wide receiver, but oh man did he prove them wrong. Lamar Jackson was unstoppable this season as a running quarterback. The only other quarterback ever quite like him was Michaell Vick, who set the single season quarterback rushing record of 1,039 yards in 2006- a record which Jackson proceeded to shatter with a whopping 1,206 yards. “Michaell Vick was always seen as the best rushing QB ever, but now Lamar looks a lot better,” said football player Marc-Andre Thermitus ‘21. Jackson also proved himself as an elite passer, slinging 30 touchdowns in the air cementing himself as an elite NFL passer and it’s only his second season. 

Though Jackson may have been the star of the show, many others had their own historic seasons. This year Christian McCaffery, running back for the Carolina Panthers, had a season to remember. Though his team finished with an ungratifying five win, 11 loss season, the star carried his team as best he could. McCaffery became just the third player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in just one season, but that’s not all. McCaffrey also landed his name as third on the all-time, all-purpose yard getters in a single season finishing with 2,392 all purpose yards. It doesn’t stop there either: McCaffery also became the first running back in league history with two 100 reception seasons. 

More surprising accolades that came from this season were in part by the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are always a hard team to beat, with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and arguably the best receiver in the NFL, Micheal Thomas, they consistently finish among the top of the standings. The Saints duo both made history this year, “Drew Brees and Micheal Thomas helped each other have crazy seasons. Brees with the passing TD record and Thomas with the reception record” said athlete Matt Dias ‘21. 

During a week 15 Monday night matchup, the Saints took on the Colts with Brees just three passing touchdowns away from a new NFL record. He accomplished this goal in the third quarter and set the record for the all time most passing touchdowns by a quarterback. He finished the season with a total of 547 passing touchdowns over the course of his career. 

One of the NFL’s biggest stories this year involved Antonio Brown, an eccentric, loud mouth, wide receiver superstar who certainly had a 2019 season to remember. However most of it was off the NFL field. The drama began after his split from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brown was traded to the Oakland Raiders, where after only one month stirred up enough trouble, involving frostbitten feet, fines for his headgear, confrontations from the team’s General Manager and fines from the Raiders for his failure to be at team meetings, all leading to his quick release. However, Brown’s journey didn’t end there, he was scooped up by the dynasty over at the New England Patriots. Unfortunately, he only played one game with the team after being cut amid allegations of sexual assault charges, upsetting his fans.“I was really surprised with the Antonio Brown drama where he just played one game with the Patriots before being released,” said former football player Jack Delaney ‘21. From there, Brown threw a “hissyfit” and declared he will no longer play in the NFL.

The 2019 NFL season will truly be remembered as one of the wildest and most exciting seasons to watch.